Sundial



Nov. 22, 1949 J. E. PROGNEAUX SUN D'I L Filed Feb. 4, 1948 NM R am A P; 5 N Wu H d W Patented Nov. 22, 1949 Application February 4, 1948, Serial No. 6,289

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a sun dial, and more particularly to what I term a beach clock. It involves a foldable case with only two principal parts, a base bearing a dial and a compass, and a cover. Between the base and cover is a style or gnomon which possesses the novel characteristic of being flexible, thus permitting it to be folded when not in use and to be distended so as to assume the true position of a style when it is desired to take a reading.

Other novel features comprise the inclusion of a spring hinge between the base and cover and operating in conjunction with a slidable latch, which latter, when released will allow the cover to move from a closed or horizontal position to an open or vertical position, and to simultaneously straighten the normally folded style and place it under tension and in readiness for accurately determining the time; and the addition of a directional marking intersecting the dial to facilitate lining-up of the compass.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan of the case.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the case, closed position.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the case when open.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the device when open, and

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section along lines 5-5 of Fig. 1.

The case consists of a base Ill and a cover or top H. Adjacent ends of the base and cover are mitered at I2l3, and a spring hinge I4 is counter-sunk and secured inside the meeting edges of the ends. Near one outer margin of the cover I provide a latch l5, one end of which is pivoted at I6, and with its opposite extremity l1 curved so as to engage both edges of the base and cover.

Occupying approximately the upper half of the base is a suitably graduated are 18 having an intersecting directional line l9north and south calculated for the normal average deviation of the magnetic pole; and centered forwardly with respect to the arc is a compass 211. Fixed medially of the front of the arc and the forward portion of the inside of the cover is a flexible style 2| of desirable gauge, and constructed of fibrous, or any other suitable material. The style is of such length as to insure it becoming taut when the mitered edges of the base meet-see Fig. 4.

Normally, the case is closed and the style 2| lies folded between the base and cover, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. When it is desired to ascertain the time of day latch I5 is moved outwardly as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, whereupon spring hinge I4 is free to exert itself and force the cover upwardly at substantially right angles to the base. At the same time, style 2| is straightened out and assumes the taut position exhibited in Fig. 4. I Then the magnetic needle 22 of the compass is alined with line l9, and the complete device placed in the proper position with reference to the sun. The shadow thus cast by the style on the graduated arc will give the true solar time according to the latitude and longitude of the particular locality.

It is clear that my folding sun dial may be employed any place to determine with reasonable accuracy the time of day, and that it is particularly applicable, as a substitute for a watch, at the beach-the device being devoid of delicate mechanism susceptible of fouling by sand, water or other elements.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a foldable base and cover, the base having a dial, and a flexible style connected to the base and cover and lying inert therebetween when the base and cover are folded, said style being extended into active position with respect to the dial when the base and cover are unfolded.

2. A sun dial comprising a foldable case including a. base and a cover hingedly connected together, the base having a graduated arc and a compass, and a flexible style with one end attached to the base adjacent said are and its other end attached to the under side of the cover near its front edge.

3. A sun dial comprising a foldable case including a base and a cover hingedly connected together, the base having a graduated arc and a compass, and a flexible style with one end attached to the base adjacent said arc and its other end attached to the under side of the cover near its front edge, said style adapted to lie folded between the base and cover when the latter are closed and to be tautly distended when the cover is raised.

4. A sun dial comprising a foldable case including a base and a cover, adjacent ends of which are mitered, a spring-hinge connecting said mitered ends, the base having a graduated arc and a compass, a flexible style connected to, and disposed between, the base and cover, and fastening means for holding the base and cover together in closed position, the style being folded when the case is closed. and distended when the case is opened.

JEAN E. PROGNEAUX.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Number file of this patent: 478,837 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 52574 Number Name Date 441,777 Simmons Dec. 2, 1890 1,621,661 Frank Mar. 22, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Oct. 18, 1915 Netherlands June 15, 1942 

